This article is part of the Center for Media & Democracy's spotlight on front groups and corporate spin.

Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy lobbies for crop-based fuels. According to the Wall Street Journal, "a group of U.S. agribusiness companies including Archer Daniels Midland Co. are uniting in the intensifying food-versus-fuel debate, forming an alliance to promote the idea that technology can ease global supply shortages. The Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy -- which includes seed makers Monsanto Co. and DuPont Co., as well as farm-gear maker Deere & Co. -- wants to spread its belief that renewable fuels won't cut into food supplies if new technologies, such as genetically modified crops, are used to their fullest. The group is also working hard to protect government subsidies for ethanol." The PR giant Burson-Marsteller also works with the Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy. [1]

In July 2008, the Alliance announced plants to "use lobbyists on Capitol Hill and national ads to build the case for fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, even as grain prices climb worldwide. The biofuels industry has blossomed under federal mandates requiring the United States to increase alternative fuel usage by 2009. The mandates are under attack from groups who blame the new industry for rising food prices that have sparked riots and hoarding in several countries. ... The alliance has a budget of several million dollars for the campaign, but it did not disclose the exact amount." [1]